South Buffalo Charter School

?Human Migration during the Paleolithic EraDuring the Paleolithic Era as our species used better and better tools and became more successful and multiplied- they left Africa. It was during the Paleolithic Era that humans populated all of the continents of the earth (except Antarctica). These migrations were not because people wanted to explore. These migrations were because people needed natural resources and were nomadic. After about 70,000 years, people were everywhere. Then the Neolithic Revolution began… This map shows where humans began and how they spread throughout the world. The numbers show how old the human fossils are. Ex.) 100,000 means that human fossils in that place are 100,000 years old.Why did people leave Africa during the Paleolithic Era?According to the map, how old are the human fossils in China?According to the map, how long ago did people leave Asia and enter North America?How would the world be different if people never left Africa?“Modern man is a wimp,” says historian Peter McAllisterBy John Mehaffey (Reuters) - Many prehistoric Australian Paleolithic men could have outrun world 100 and 200 meters record holder Usain Bolt in modern conditions.Some ancient African men in Rwanda would have crushed the current world high jump record of 2.45 meters during tribal ceremonies in which they had to jump at least their own height to become a man.These and other eye-catching claims are detailed in a book by Australian historian Peter McAllister entitled "Manthropology: The Science of the Inadequate Modern Male."The book begins by saying, "If you're reading this then you are the worst man in history. No ifs, no buts -- the worst man, period...As a species, right now, we are in fact the sorriest bunch of people to ever walk the planet."The author finds evidence he believes proves that we are inferior (worse) than our Paleolithic ancestors in the basic Olympic sports of running and jumping, among other things.EVIDENCEHow can the author be so sure that our ancestors were so much better than us? He has found fossilized human footprints from 20,000 years ago. By comparing how deep the footprints were and using human fossil bones from the same time period, he estimates that the person who made them was running 45 miles per hour, 3 miles per hour faster than Usain Bolt, the current “World’s Fastest Man” who has won countless Olympic gold medals in sprinting competitions.Considering the time period (Paleolithic Era), historians can assume that the person who made these footprints was not a superman, just another nomad chasing down an animal… or running away from one.McAllister said a Paleolithic woman had 10 percent more muscle than modern man. So what if a Paleolithic woman were to arm-wrestle a modern body builder like Arnold Schwarzenegger? “She would slam him to the table without a problem," he said.Why aren’t we as strong as our ancestors?"We are simply not exposed to the same hard work or challenges that people were in the ancient past. Our brains have become smarter and allowed us to make more and more useful tools… so our bodies have done the opposite and become weaker. Even the level of training that professional athletes do doesn't come close to being like the tasks involved in survival during the Paleolithic,” said McAllister.1.) What does historian Peter McAllister mean when he says, “As a species, right now, we are in fact the sorriest bunch of people to ever walk the planet.”?2.) Why does the author think that our Paleolithic ancestors were so much stronger than us?3.) If you had the choice, would you rather have a better brain or better body… or does it depend on when you would live? ................
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